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PLEASE READ GUIDELINES AND SUBMISSION DETAILS

IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING

GOALThe purpose of the VA ASLA Professional and Student Awards Program is:

to recognize Excellence, Exemplary Performance, and Significant Contributions within the landscape architecture profession of the Commonwealth of Virginia;

to encourage the application of landscape architectural solutions to the issues, problems and opportunities challenging us today; and

to provide a forum for the review and evaluation of work currently shaping our environment.

The winning projects will be showcased at the VA ASLA Fall Conference during a special awards evening event. Posters of the winning entries will be displayed during the conference. All conference attendees are invitied to attend this ticketed event. The winning projects will also be featured on the VA ASLA website, in the chapter’s digital newsletter, and all of the chapter's social media channels.

All communications will go to the project nominator identified in the nomination package.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRYProfessional AwardsVA ASLA Professional Awards Program entries must be submitted by persons practicing landscape architecture in Virginia, or who have completed a landscape architecture project in Virginia. To participate in the program the primary entrant must meet at least one of the following criteria:

ASLA Fellow, Member, Associate or Affiliate

Non-ASLA member who is a registered landscape architect

University faculty member from a Virginia landscape architecture degree program

A graduate of a landscape architecture program

Non-landscape architect submitting in the Research and Communication categories

The jury process is blind. The identities of the entrant and creative team are not revealed to the jury. Jury members and their firms or agencies are not eligible to participate.

Student AwardsAll program categories are open to students currently enrolled in and 2019 graduates of a landscape architecture degree program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Student work need not be redrawn to conform to the Professional and Student Awards Program objectives. However students must provide an executive summary with enough narrative for the jury to evaluate the work using the criteria for the entry category. Students must enclose proof of enrollment with their submission, such as a copy of their photo student ID.

Award WinnersAward recipients agree to have a representative at the awards presentation ceremony to be held during the VA ASLA Annual Conference September 18-19, 2020. All nominees agree to submit a .pdf file for a 24"x36" exhibition poster representing their project as described in their nomination, if they are selected to receive an award. (Additional information will be sent to award recipients.)

ENTRY FEE:ASLA Fellow, Members, Associate, or National Affiliate $150 per entryCurrent Landscape Architecture Students and 2019 Graduates $25 per entryVirginia Affiliate Members $ 200 per entryNon-ASLA members $300 per entryCommunity Service or Virginia Landmark Landscape $ 50 per entry

DEADLINE: All entries must be received by Midnight on Monday, June 15, 2020

JURY:The jury is composed of landscape architecture practitioners representing a range of practice types. The decisions of the jury are final and solely based on the submission. The jury will be formally announced at a later time.

AWARDSPresidential Award Of ExcellenceThe Presidential Award of Excellence represents the best of the awards submitted in the annual program, recognizing innovative solutions that go beyond the project purpose. One award per category may be given if merited.

Honor Award The Honor Award recognizes outstanding, imaginative, and well-resolved solutions deserving state-wide recognition for their excellence. Up to 20% of the total entries in each category may receive an honor award, if merited.

Merit Award The Merit Award recognizes creative and functional solutions that achieve project purposes and exhibit a high standard of achievement in such a manner deserving state-wide recognition. Any number may be given per category, if merited.

Commendation Award Commendation Awards may be given to recognize a high standard of achievement in a particular area of project execution deserving of state-wide recognition. Any number may be given per category, if merited.

ResearchResearch submissions represent excellence, exemplary performance, or significant works of scientific /academic rigor or historical research that give evidence of examination of a problem, use of accepted methods, and arrival at supported and original findings.

Community ServiceCommunity Service submittals should represent pro bono community service demonstrating sound principles and values of Landscape Architecture. These may be submitted as by an individual or a group representing either an individual or group contribution. All contributors to the community service project will be recognized for their involvement.

Virginia Landmark LandscapeSubmissions will present distinguished landscapes constructed more than 15 years ago that retain their original design integrity and contribute to the communities in which they are located.

GENERAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. The Project Registration & Payment Form can be completed securely online by clicking here: Registration & Payment Form. The Project Upload can be completed by going to: Project Upload

2. Projects must have been completed within the past five years. Student submissions must have been completed since 2019.

3. Submit an ELECTRONIC PDF FILE (limit 20 MB) that includes the following General Entry Requirements as described below:

iii. Each page should include captions to provide insight into the content of each page(maximum 50 words per page).

B. Project Narrative - (maximum 500 words) This is the only narrative the jury will use to understand your project. Include project name and describe the following:

i. Purpose and scope of the project - Describe the project requirements, planning or design philosophy, and design intent.

ii. Role of the Landscape Architect - Describe the leadership and involvement in the project.

iii. Local and/or special significance - Explain the project's value to the community and how it fulfills the responsibilities of stewardship, sustainability, and relationship to context.

iv. Special characteristics - Explain why the project is unique or special, and how it solves unusual problems, incorporates new techniques, addresses budget constraints, effect on public perception of the profession etc.

C. Description of Project Roles - (no word limit) Without referencing individuals, company names, or team names, briefly provide a description of the Role of the Landscape Architect, Architect, Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer, Environmental Consultant, Owner, Client, and /or others as applicable that worked on the project. This is a separate from the design narratives and should be focused on clearly crediting who did what work.

D. Submittals for the Communications or Analysis & Planning category must include a Project Summary (maximum 300 words) in addition to the Project Narrative. The Project Summary will serve to provide added context and understanding to these types of submissions that may not include built works. Select illustrations that clearly convey the scope, content and significance of the planning and analysis work.

E. Submittals for the Research Category can include both research papers and/ or research design projects. If submitting a paper, also include an abstract (max 400 words). Include illustrations/ diagrams/charts with captions associated with the research that help present the project’s significance and/or findings (follow General Design Guidelines set above for page and file size).

F. By submitting an application, the applicant assures that all copyright holders have consented to the project submission and to the use of images for by the Virginia Chapter ASLA for multimedia, print or digital publications, presentations and an online archive.

NOTE: Do not include any reference to the individual, design firm or team on any material submitted except for the Registration & Payment Form.